The early campaign for the Iowa caucuses — tentatively set for Feb. 6, 2012 — begins the hunt for top talent, support and advice from party leaders and opinion shapers across the state.

None of the more than 10 Republicans frequently mentioned as presidential prospects has announced a candidacy. Several said while visiting Iowa during the 2010 midterm campaign that they will say more about their plans early next year. This list features 50 Republican and conservative leaders that presidential prospects will call on.

A few caveats:
Far more than 50 Iowans will become influential in the outcome of the caucuses. A record 124,000 Iowans participated in the 2008 GOP caucuses, and Republican wins in the midterm elections could trigger an even larger turnout in 2012. The list encompasses leaders at the local and state level, veterans and up-and-comers, behind-the-scenes movers and public opinion leaders.

What it doesn’t include: the state’s most prominent elected Republicans, namely Gov.-elect Terry Branstad, Sen. Chuck Grassley and Iowa’s two GOP congressmen, Steve King and Tom Latham. They obviously will be courted. In some instances, a handful of people were chosen as representative of a type of target, such as county chairmen (each of the 99 county chairs will be prized) or leaders in the evangelical community (many pastors will become influential).

While each will be sought out for endorsement or counsel, many will remain neutral, opting to pursue a fair-handed treatment of all candidates.

In the end, each of Iowa’s registered Republicans, now more than 618,000, will be a target.